Combined case and tray structure



March 10, 1953 e. STROCCO COMBINED CASE AND TRAY STRUCTURE Filed July 20, 1950 IIIIIIIIIIIIII/ll! ail;

INVENTOR sens STROGCO M I I I I I I I I I I 5 IIIIIIIIIIIIIII I,

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I f I IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII'I'IIIIIIIIIII, H6.

ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GOMBINED CASE AND TRAY STRUCTURE Gene Strocco, Whitestone, N. Y. I Application July 20, 1950, Serial No. 174,810

This invention relates to multiple compartment boxes, and more particularly to combined case and tray units adapted for use as jewel cases, tool or utility boxes, trunk trays, vanity boxes, instrument cases, display cases and other containers of the type employing an outer case with an inner tray therein.

In most conventional devices of the above class the tray member is generally pivotally attached to the sides of the outer case, and connected by linkage to the lid of the case. Such constructions are not only relatively complicated, entailing certain assembling operations which are costly, but they have the further disadvantage of being readily subject to such mutilation as to render the entire device inoperative or inefficient. For example, the pivotal pins that are employed in certain of said devices, being of necessity small so as not to be unsightly, frequently become detached from the supporting walls of the case or tray. It is also a common occurrence, in such conventional devices, for the linkage elements to become bent when an article within the case is inadvertently caught between the inner walls of the case and the tray, causing a jamming action, and also when it is attempted to dislodge the tray from any such jammed condition.

It is primarily within the contemplation of my invention to provide a device having none of the aforesaid shortcomings, and yet which will effectively serve its intended functions easily and efiiciently. And it is, specifically, an important object to present a combined case and tray of the class described having no linkage, and without any pivotal connection between the tray and lateral walls of the case.

It is also characteristic of the usual combination case and tray unit for the tray to be completely disposed within the case when the lid is closed, thereby reducing the storage capacity of the case. It is accordingly another object of my invention to obviate this shortcoming by a novel form of tray support and control means where by a substantial portion of the tray will be disposed within the lid enclosure when it is in closed position, whereby relatively larger storage capacity is provided in the lower or main case compartment.

It is also a matter of common knowledge that trays in jewel, tool, instrument boxes and the like are in partially obstructing position over the rear of the main case when the lid is open, therefore making it difficult; at all times to gain ready access to the rear interior of the case. It is one 3 Claims. (Cl. 312-276) of the objects of my invention to overcome this shortcoming in devices of this category by enabling full access to be had to the interior of the case when the lid is open.

Other objects of my invention are to permit a ready detachment of the tray from the lid and yet enable it to be Operatively disposed above the lower portion of the case, and also to provide at all times a firm support for the tray within the case.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear from the drawings and the description hereinafter given.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure l is a perspective view showing a preferred form of my invention, the lid being shown in its fully opened position, a fragment being broken away for clarity.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section of the device in Figure l in its fully closed position.

Figure 3 is a view like Figure 2, but showing the lid in a partly opened condition and the tray in engagement with the front terminal of the rails.

Figure 4 is a view substantially like Figure 3, but showing the lid in a more fully open position, the tray being shown in full lines operatively supported by the rails, and in dot-dash lines in a raised position. r a

Figure 5 is a sectional view, substantially like Figure l, but showing the tray detached from the lid and operatively supported by the rails.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view of a modified form of my invention, with the lid closed.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary section of Figure 6 taken substantially along line 11.

Figure 8 is a view like Figure 6, but showing the lid in a partially open position and the elevating prop of the tray in engagement with the roller elements at the front of the rails.

' Figure 9 is a fragmentary transverse section of another modified form of my invention, showing the lid in its closed position, and

Figure 10 is a fragmentary section like Figure 9, but showing the lid in a partly open position and one of its elevating props in engagement with the front cam surface of onset the rails.

In the preferred form of my invention illustratedin Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, the main or lower box compartment l5 hingedly supports at It the lid H, the roof l8 of which contains the hinge members l9 each having the two loops 20 through which the pins 2| extend. Operatively supported by each of said pinsls the tray hinge component 22 containing a hook portion 23 embracing the upper portion of pin 22 between the loops 29. The said hinges 22 are attached to the rear wall 24 of the tray 25. The arrangement is hence such that the tray 25 is hingedly attached to the roof [8 of lid 11, for pivotal movement relative thereto, the tray being also removable from the lid hinges merely by lifting up the tray to disengage the hooks 23 from the pins 2 I.

The underside of the tray is provided with preferably two elevating props 26 at the front corners of the tray, each of said props, in the particular form illustrated, including a base surface 27 and a rearwardly disposed, inclined and preferably slightly convexly curved cam surface 28. Said props are in overlying slidable engagement with the two supporting rails 29 attached to the lateral walls 39 of the lower compartment I5, the front terminal portions 3| of said rails being spaced rearwardly from the front wall 32 of the lower box compartment 15. It is preferred, although notnecessary, that in this form. of my invention the foremost surface 33 of each of said rails 29 be inclined. downwardly and forwardly with a slightly convex curvature.

When the lid- I! is in its open position, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, the said bases 2'! of the props are in engagement with the upper surfaces 34, the tray 25 being, according to proportions of the device illustrated, almost horizontal, that is, the tray is tilted slightly forwardly and downwardly to enable its contents to be readily seen. However, it is obvious that the tray maybe made to assume an entirely horizontal position, or if desired, a greater inclination, depending upon the height of props 26. As. the lid is moved forwardly and downwardly towards its closing position, the said props 26 will slidably move along. rails 29 until they reach the foremost upper supporting edge 35, as shown in Figure 3. A coritinued closing movement. of the lid will cause a lowering of the tray 25 also, since the said cam surface 23. is slidably moving downwardly in engagement with said edge 35, the forward terminal surface 3! obviously not. interfering with such downward movement. When the lid is in its fully closed position, as shown in Figure 2, the floor 35 of the, tray 25, is resting flush uponsurfaces 3d of the rails 29, and is operatively supported thereby, the props 26 being disposed between foremost surfaces. 3.! of the rails and the front wall 32 of. lower box compartment 15..

It will. be noted that. since the surfaces 3| and 28 are both convexly curved in opposite directions, there is a minimum of interference" by the rail members with the props, and yet, the forward portions of the rails offer some support to the props. However, it is obvious that the tray would be fully supported by the rails even without any engagement between surfaces 28 and 3] of the props andrails respectively, since the tray primarily rests. upon the surfaces 34' of the rails, and is; hence supported thereby. It. will be further noted (see Figure 2) that when the lid ll is in its fully closed position, thetray 25 is partly disposed within the lid and partly within the lower box member 15, thereby taking up considerably less space of the lower component of the unit. than. occurs in conventional cases where trays are. completely disposed within the lower compartment when the lid is closed.

It will-be. further observed (see Figure ll that when the lid [1: isin its fully open position, it is possible toraisethe tray 25to the: dot-dash position shown, thereby completely. rendering the interior of the lower compartment l5 accessible. In most conventional devices, including both jewel cases and tool boxes, the tray is generally in partially obstructing position over the rear portion of the lower compartment due to the fact that such conventional trays are attached by links and pivots directly to the sides of the lower compartment, whereby they cannot be detached therefrom.

Should it be desired to remove the lid 25, this can be accomplished by the simple expedient of lifting the tray off the hooks I9, as aforesaid. Thereafter the tray need not be reattached to hinges 19, since it can be made to rest directly upon the rails 29 along the forward portion of box IE as illustrated in Figure 5. It will be observed that the space 3'! between the forward portion 3! of each rail and the front of the box 15 is sufficiently great to accommodate therebetween the prop 29. In the particular form illustrated, a small supporting block 38 is attached to the inner surface of front wall 32 of the lower compartment 15, to provide an additional support for the tray when in the position shown in Figure 5.

The modification of my invention. illustrated in Figures 6 to 8 is substantially similar to that of the above described embodiment thereof, except that at the front of each rail 39 is disposed a roller 48 operatively supported by a lateral wall A! of the lower compartment 42. The prop s3 is substantially like prop 26 above described, the rear inclined surface 44 being adapted for rotative engagement with said roller 40, for improved ease of action. As will be noted in Figures 6 and '7, the rails 39 and roller 40 are in underlying engagement with the tray 45 when the lid as is in its closed position. But when the lid is either being raised or lowered, as illustrated in. Figure 8, the cam surface 44 is in engagement with roller 40, instead of being in engagement with a stationary edge like sup-porting edge 35 above described.

In both forms above described, the cam surfaces 28 and ed, in. cooperation with the traysupporting hinges, determine the path of movement of the forward portion of the tray. However, my invention is not limited to such an arrangement, since it is within my contemplation to enable the forward portions of the rails to serve as guiding means for. the determining of the path of the forward portion of the tray, as indicated in the form of my invention of Fig.- ures 9 and 1G Here the tray. 6! is hingedly attached to the lid in the same manner above described. However, the elevating props are merely downwardly extending pins 48 at the forward. corners of the tray, the lower terminal 49 of each of said pins being in engagement with the cam surface Sil at the, forward portion of the rail 5!. Accordingly; upon the raising or lowering of the lid of the device, and the corresponding rearward or forward movement of the tray ill, each pin 48 will ride over cam surface 58, the said lower terminal 49 thereof slidably engaging said terminal. While the raising and lowering of the tray between its upper and lower levels is. effected substantially in the same manner as with the two forms of my invention first above described, it is nevertheless obvious that the path of movement of tray 31 is controlled by the cam surface 58 of the rail 5!.

It is thus apparent that I have provided. a structure, in. all the forms. above. described, in

which a tray member may be readily raised and lowered between open and closed limiting positions of the lid, without the use of linkage elements, the tray being at all times firmly supported because of underlying rails, the entire lower compartment being fully accessible when the lid is in its raised position.

In the above description, the invention has been disclosed merely by way of example and in preferred manner; but obviously many variations and modifications may be made therein. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or manner of practicing same, except insofar as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a combined case and lid structure, a main lower box member, an overlying lid hingedly attached thereto for pivotal movement between open and closed positions, a tray operatively connected to said lid for movement between rear 7 and front limiting positions in response to said pivotal movement of said lid between said open and closed positions, a depending prop at the lateral side of said tray and adjacent the front corner thereof, and a rail attached to said box adjacent said lateral side of said tray and including a terminal end spaced from the front of said box to provide a recess therebetween, said prop being proportioned for accommodation within said recess when said tray is in said front limiting position wherein the underside of said tray rests directly on said rail, said prop successively cooperating with said terminal end and with the rail proper during movement of said lid from said closed position to said open position to urge said tray into said rear limiting position wherein said tray is elevated above saidbox member to permit ready access to the contents of said tray as well as the contents of said box member.

2. In a combined case and lid structure, a main lower box member, an overlying lid hingedly attached thereto for pivotal movement between open and closed positions, a tray operatively connected to said lid for movement between rear and front limiting positions in response to said pivotal movement of said lid between said open and closed positions, a depending prop at the lateral side of said tray and adjacent the front corner thereof, and a rail attached to said box adjacent said lateral side of said tray and including a terminal end spaced from the front of said box to provide a recess therebetween, said prop being proportioned for accommodation within said recess when said tray is in said front limiting position and being provided with an inclined rearwardly disposed cam surface slidably engaging said terminal end of said rail for controlling the movement of said tray when said prop enters or leaves said recess, said prop successively cooperating with said terminal end and with the rail proper during movement of said lid from said closed position to said open position to urge said tray into said rear limiting position wherein said tray is elevated above said box member to permit ready access to the contents of said tray as well as the contents of said box member.

3. In a combined case and lid structure, the combination according to claim 1, including a roller member supported forwardly of said rail and positioned for rolling engagement with said prop when said prop enters or leaves said recess.

GENE STROCCO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 471,899 Rountree Mar. 29, 1892 696,846 Seward Apr. 1, 1902 993,469 Stocker May 30, 1911 2,501,879 Sulentic Mar. 28, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 656,893 Germany Feb. 1'7, 1938 

